Microsoft Programmer's Library Features Latest Microsoft Documentation on Powerful CD ROM

REDMOND, WA. • September 17, 1990 • A powerful CD ROM productivity tool for programmers featuring immediate online access to an abundance of reference materials, books and sample code was released today by Microsoft Corporation. Software developers purchasing Microsoft® Programmer's Library version 1.2 will receive a complimentary subscription for the next three versions of Programmer's Library. In addition, within each issue of Programmer's Library is a new "snapshot" of the Microsoft KnowledgeBase, consisting of information gathered from CompuServe® and Microsoft OnLine services, which includes many practical tips from users' experiences.

"Helping developers get their leading-edge applications produced as quickly as possible is important to Microsoft," said Steve Ballmer, senior vice president of systems software at Microsoft Corporation. "Today, professional programmers juggle information on multiple programming tools and increasingly refined operating environments as they try to get ever more sophisticated applications out the door. With Programmer's Library, that process can be smoother and simpler, leaving programmers more time to concentrate on the actual application development."

New Users to Receive Full-Year Complimentary Subscription

Beginning with the 1.2 release, Microsoft will start issuing updates to Programmer's Library on a regular basis. New subscribers will automatically receive a subscription for the next three versions of Programmer's Library with the latest Microsoft OnLine documentation -- absolutely free. The three updated versions will be available over the next year. Microsoft has never before extended this type of offer.

Quick Reference to Operating Systems and Programming Tools Documentation

Microsoft Programmer's Library is the most powerful, comprehensive and up-to-date reference tool for professional PC programmers. Looking up information in Programmer's Library is quicker than sorting through bookshelves of books, tables of contents and printed indexes. The books, technical manuals, KnowledgeBase and sample programs are linked via hypertext for easy electronic reference and browsing.

"Programmer's Library allows the software developer to access up-to-date information in a single location with easy-to-use lookup capability," said Stew Chapin, group product manager at Microsoft. "By receiving automatic updates, developers will have the latest information available right on their computers."

Version 1.2 contains documentation on Microsoft's most recently introduced products, including:

o Microsoft Windows™ graphical environment version 3.0 Software Development Kit and Device Driver Kit

o C Professional Development System version 6.0

o OS/2 Presentation Manager Toolkit

o LAN Manager version 2.0

o SQL Server version 1.1

o BASIC Professional Development System version 7.1

Additionally, in keeping with the increasing popularity of CD ROM as a vehicle for distributing both software and documentation, Microsoft recently began offering software tools on CD ROM, including Microsoft C Professional Development System version 6.0 and The Microsoft Office applications for the Macintosh®.

New KnowledgeBase Offers Up-to-Date Practical Tips

Programmer's Library version 1.2 now includes a "snapshot" of the Microsoft Systems and Languages KnowledgeBase from CompuServe and Microsoft OnLine services. The KnowledgeBase in Programmer's Library includes many practical tips from users' experiences -- common questions and answers about Microsoft systems and language products, as well as articles, workarounds, and more.

Network Support Allows Multiple User Access

For corporations that already have or are considering purchasing a CD ROM drive on a network, Programmer's Library is immediately cost-effective. A multiuser version of the Programmer's Library enables increments of fifteen programmers sharing a single CD ROM drive to easily access information on-screen, eliminating the need to look up information or borrow references from a centralized library.

System Requirements, Pricing and Availability

Programmer's Library requires a personal computer with MS-DOS® version 3.1 or higher or OS/2 version 1.2 or higher; a CD ROM disc drive; and MS-DOS CD ROM Extensions. A hard disk is recommended.

Microsoft Programmer's Library is available now in single-user formats at retail outlets. The single-user version has a suggested retail price of $395 and includes a subscription for three additional issues per year. A multiuser coupon inside the retail package enables up to 15 users per server to subscribe for $595.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, network products, languages and application programs, as well as books, hardware and CD ROM products for the microcomputer marketplace.

#########

Microsoft, CodeView, MS-DOS and the Microsoft logo are registered trademarks and Windows and QuickAssembler are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc.

IBM and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

Intel is a registered trademark and 386 and 387 are trademarks of Intel Corporation.

Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

#########

Microsoft Programmer's Library version 1.2

Programmer's Library is a comprehensive collection of the most useful reference information available for programmers in MS-DOS and OS/2 environments.

With Programmer's Library programmers can instantly get authoritative information about programming from books, manuals, and sample code in these categories:

- Microsoft OS/2 application development

- Microsoft Windows application development

- MS-DOS application development

- Networks [Microsoft LAN Manager & Microsoft SQL Server]

- Microsoft Systems Journal

- Hardware [Microsoft Mouse, CD ROM Extensions, LIM, Intel® CPUs]

- Microsoft C and Microsoft QuickC

- Microsoft Macro Assembler and Microsoft QuickAssembler™

- Microsoft BASIC and Microsoft QuickBASIC

- Microsoft Pascal and Microsoft QuickPascal

- Microsoft FORTRAN

- Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase

- Microsoft OnLine Documentation

Programmer's Library References

* Indicates new updated material since Programmer's Library version 1.1

OS/2 References

References from the Microsoft OS/2 SDK, version 1.2:

* Microsoft OS/2 Getting Started

Microsoft OS/2 Learning Guide

* Microsoft OS/2 User's Guide

Microsoft OS/2 Desktop Reference

Microsoft OS/2 Programmer's Reference, Volume 1

Microsoft OS/2 Programmer's Reference, Volume 2

Microsoft OS/2 Programmer's Reference, Volume 3

* Microsoft OS/2 Programmer's Reference, Volume 4

* Microsoft OS/2 Device Driver Reference

Inside OS/2, by Gordon Letwin

Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager, by Charles Petzold

Advanced OS/2, by Ray Duncan

Selected OS/2 Sample Code

* Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase for OS/2 development issues

Windows References

References from the Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit, version 3.0:

* Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Guide to Programming

* Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Installation & Update Guide

* Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Programmer's

Reference, Volume 1

* Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Programmer's

Reference, Volume 2

* Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit Tools

References from the Microsoft Windows Device Driver Kit, version 3.0:

* Microsoft Windows Device Driver Kit Installation & Update Guide

* Microsoft Windows Device Driver Kit Adaptation Guide

* Microsoft Windows Device Driver Kit Virtual Device Adaptation Guide

* Microsoft Windows Device Driver Kit Printer & Font Kit

Programming Windows, by Charles Petzold

* Selected Windows Sample Code

* Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase for Windows application development issues

Network References

Microsoft LAN Manager, version 2.0 References:

* Getting to Know Microsoft LAN Manager

* Microsoft LAN Manager Installation Guide

* Microsoft LAN Manager User's Guide for OS/2

* Microsoft LAN Manager User's Guide for MS-DOS

* Microsoft LAN Manager Administrator's Guide

* Microsoft LAN Manager Administrator's Reference

* Microsoft LAN Manager Programmer's Reference

* Microsoft LAN Manager Network Device Driver Guide

Microsoft SQL Server, Version 1.1 References

* Microsoft SQL Server Installation Guide

* Microsoft SQL Server Learning TRANSACT-SQL

* Microsoft SQL Server Language Reference

* Microsoft SQL Server Programmer's Reference

* Microsoft SQL Server System Administrator's Guide

MS-DOS References

MS-DOS 4.0 Programmer's Reference

MS-DOS 3.3 Programmer's Reference

The MS-DOS Encyclopedia

Advanced MS-DOS Programming, by Ray Duncan

The New Peter Norton Programmer's Guide to the IBM PC & PS/2, by Peter Norton and Richard Wilton

Selected MS-DOS Sample Code

Microsoft Systems Journal

* Microsoft Systems Journal Volume #5 (Issues 1, 2, 3)

* Microsoft Systems Journal Volume #4

Microsoft Systems Journal Volume #3

Microsoft Systems Journal Volume #2

Microsoft Systems Journal Volume #1

Hardware References

Microsoft Mouse Programmer's Reference

Microsoft CD ROM Extensions

Programmer's Guide to IBM® PC & PS/2® Video Systems

LIM 4.0 Expanded Memory Specification

Intel 386™ Programmer's Reference

Intel 387™ Programmer's Reference

Intel 286 Programmer's Reference

Intel 287 Programmer's Reference

Microsoft C Language References

References from Microsoft C Professional Development System, version 6.0:

* Microsoft C Advanced Programming Techniques

* Microsoft C Installing and Using the Professional Development System

* Microsoft C Reference

* Microsoft C Run-Time Library Reference

References from Microsoft QuickC, version 2.5:

* Microsoft QuickC Tool Kit

* Microsoft QuickC C for Yourself

* Microsoft QuickC Up and Running

* Microsoft QuickC Update

* Microsoft CodeViewR & Utilities User's Guide

Microsoft Mixed-Language Programming Guide

* Microsoft Editor User's Guide

* Microsoft OnLine User's Guide

Proficient C, by Augie Hansen

Microsoft QuickC Programming, by The Waite Group

* Selected C Language Sample Code

* Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase for C-Language issues

Macro Assembler (MASM) References:

Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.1

Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.1 Update

Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.1 Programming Guide

Microsoft Macro Assembler 5.1 Reference

* Microsoft QuickAssembler 2.01 Programmer's Guide

* Microsoft CodeView & Utilities User's Guide

Microsoft Mixed-Language Programming Guide

* Microsoft Editor User's Guide

* Microsoft OnLine User's Guide

Selected Macro Assembler Sample Code

* Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase for MASM Language issues

BASIC Language References

Microsoft BASIC Professional Development System, version 7.1:

* Microsoft BASIC Programming Guide

* Microsoft BASIC Language Reference

* Microsoft BASIC Getting Started

Microsoft QuickBASIC, version 4.5:

Learning to Use Microsoft QuickBASIC

Microsoft QuickBASIC: Programming in BASIC

* Microsoft CodeView & Utilities User's Guide

Microsoft Mixed-Language Programming Guide

* Microsoft Editor User's Guide

* Microsoft OnLine User's Guide

Microsoft QuickBASIC Programmer's Toolbox, by John Clark Craig

* Selected BASIC Sample Code

* Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase for BASIC-Language issues

Pascal Language References

Microsoft Pascal Compiler 4.0

Microsoft PASCAL Compiler 4.0 Update

User's Guide

Reference Manual

* Microsoft CodeView & Utilities User's Guide

Microsoft Mixed-Language Programming Guide

* Microsoft Editor User's Guide

* Microsoft OnLine User's Guide

Selected Pascal Sample Code

* Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase for Pascal Language issues

FORTRAN Language References

Microsoft FORTRAN Optimizing Compiler 5.0

Microsoft FORTRAN Language Reference

Microsoft FORTRAN Advanced Topics

* Microsoft CodeView & Utilities User's Guide

Microsoft Mixed-Language Programming Guide

* Microsoft Editor User's Guide

* Microsoft OnLine User's Guide

Selected FORTRAN Sample Code

* Microsoft Product Support KnowledgeBase for FORTRAN Language issues

Sample Code

Sample code is included from:

Advanced MS-DOS Programming, by Ray Duncan

Advanced OS/2 Programming, by Ray Duncan

Microsoft C products

Microsoft FORTRAN products

Microsoft Macro Assembler products

Microsoft Mouse Programmer's Reference

Microsoft OS/2 Development Kits

Microsoft Pascal products

Microsoft QuickBASIC products

Microsoft QuickC products

Microsoft QuickC Programming, by the Waite Group

Microsoft Systems Journal

Microsoft Windows 3.0 SDK

Proficient C, by Augie Hansen

Programming the OS/2 Presentation Manager, by Charles Petzold

Programming Windows, by Charles Petzold

Microsoft Product Support Services Windows sample code

Source code used to play CD AUDIO from the CD ROM drive using the CD ROM Extensions

The Alde C CD ROM disc (shareware)

The MS-DOS Encyclopedia

The Programmer's Guide to IBM PC & PS/2 Video Systems, by Richard Wilton